Rob Elliot is delighted to be back in the international fold with the Republic of Ireland - and is looking forward to making up for lost time.

The Newcastle United goalkeeper missed the best part of a year after damaging knee ligaments while playing for his country against Slovakia in March 2016.

It meant the 31-year-old could only watch on as the Magpies were relegated from the Premier League – and then mounted their Championship promotion campaign.

Rob Elliot (Image: Newcastle United)

Elliot never gave up hope during the long, hard battle back to fitness, and was rewarded with a recall to the first team for the final three matches of the season.

After clinching the Championship title with the Magpies, the former Charlton shot-stopper has kept his place in the side in the Premier League, despite manager Rafa Benitez looking to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer.